The Knicks Are in the Finals

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart
Episode: The Knicks Are in the Finals
Date: May 27, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode celebrates a historic moment in New York sports culture: the New York Knicks reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, following an incredible playoff run. Guest host David welcomes James Edwards III, Knicks beat writer for The Athletic, to analyze how the team got here, the meaning for fans, standout players, the impact of the bench, and what comes next as excitement electrifies New York. The show also features fan reactions and commentary from Karl-Anthony Towns and beloved Knicks broadcaster Mike Breen.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Cultural Moment: Knicks Fever Returns

• Historic Run: The Knicks swept their way through the Eastern Conference playoffs, marking their first Finals appearance in 27 years.

  • “The Knicks are doing something they haven't done in 27 years, which is get to the NBA Finals.” – James Edwards III, [02:11]

• Building Success: The current team’s core has grown over recent years, featuring connections going back to college (Villanova alums) and the addition of big names like Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby.

  • “Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges all played together at Villanova... Karl-Anthony Towns… OG Anunoby… one of the best two-way players in basketball... rounds out this starting five.” – James Edwards III, [02:39]

• Unifying Force: For NYC, the Knicks transcend local sports rivalries – uniting a city known for divided loyalties in baseball (Mets/Yankees) and football (Giants/Jets).

  • “It's the one team in the city that everybody can agree on.” – James Edwards III, [03:11]

What Makes This Knicks Team Special

• Historic Playoff Performances: The Knicks’ dominant run is backed by stats:

  • “They are the first team in NBA history to have three series-clinching wins by over 30 points in one season.” – David, [04:45]
  • “They're clicking at the right time… playing with a synergy that wasn't always there.” – James Edwards III, [05:09]

• Balanced Roster & Depth:

  • Bench players like Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and Miles McBride are crucial.
    • “This bench has been really good… Landry Shamet… basically been their sixth starter… Jordan Clarkson… completely revitalized his game… Miles McBride is shooting the lights out.” – James Edwards III, [07:18]
  • Mitigation of injuries and playoff fatigue by blowing out teams and getting extra rest days.

The Human Side: Personalities, Character, and Fan Connection

• Team Chemistry and Likability:

  • “Jalen Brunson, very humble star. Karl-Anthony Towns the same way… Josh Hart has some personality that really shows through on camera… It's easy to root for the people right now, the organization.” – James Edwards III, [10:28]

• Generational Fan Experience:

  • “There are generations of people who have only heard about the Knicks being good as folklore... this is what my grandfather was telling me about.” – James Edwards III, [15:44]

Notable Quotes & Emotional Moments

• Karl-Anthony Towns on Hope:

  • “I feel like the word hope has been gone from the New York Knicks name for a long time. And for me and OG to be part of this team that revives the word hope in the city, it's something special.” – Karl-Anthony Towns, [04:19]

• Mike Breen on the Joy of Broadcasting Knicks Basketball:

  • “I've been broadcasting Knicks games more than half my life… We've broadcast a lot of bad basketball for a long time… Clyde… said that this team reminds him of... Jalen Brunson reminds him of the leadership of Willis [Reed]… you root for them because of the effort and the type of young men that they are.” – Mike Breen, [16:51]

• Fan Devotion, Even Abroad:

  • “Have been getting up at 2am here to watch the games and we are obsessed.” – Text from fan in Sicily, read by David, [15:17]

Comparing Knicks Now and Then

• Depth and Identity: Parallels drawn between the 1970/1973 Knicks championship teams and the current squad, especially around depth and style of play.
  • “They see similarities with those two teams primarily in the style of play... and also, they said the depth is something that there is some, some semblance of.” – James Edwards III, [14:29]

Fan Experience and Community

• Knicks Nation Travels:
  • “The Knicks have had very beneficial situations in terms of having their fans travel… this is unchartered territory for almost two generations of people.” – James Edwards III, [11:47]

Looking Ahead: The Finals

• No Home Court Advantage: The Knicks will play the Finals on the road regardless of opponent.
  • “The Finals are scheduled to start on June 3rd and the Knicks will not have the home court advantage in this series.” – David, [19:24]
• Outlook and Predictions:
  • “If it's Oklahoma City Thunder, I think it's a series that's going to go six or seven, and they're the defending champs. I got to… I'm going to have to go with the defending champs.” – James Edwards III, [19:46]

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Highlighted Quotes by Timestamp & Attribution

• [04:19] Karl-Anthony Towns:
  “I feel like the word hope has been gone from the New York Knicks name for a long time... to be part of this team that revives the word hope in the city, it's something special.”

• [16:51] Mike Breen:
  “I've been broadcasting Knicks games more than half my life. We've broadcast a lot of bad basketball for a long time... For [Walt Frazier] to say that Jalen Brunson reminds him of the leadership of Willis [Reed]... you root for them because of the effort and the type of young men that they are.”

• [10:28] James Edwards III:
  “I think this Knicks team is likable. Jalen Brunson, very humble star. Karl-Anthony Towns the same way... It's easy to root for the people right now, the organization.”

• [15:44] James Edwards III:
  “There are generations of people who have only heard about the Knicks being good as folklore... this is what my grandfather was telling me about. This is what New York City is like when the Knicks are good.”

• [07:18] James Edwards III:
  “This bench has been really good... Landry Shamet... basically been their sixth starter... Jordan Clarkson... completely revitalized his game... Miles McBride is shooting the lights out.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:30–02:11]: Intro and Context: The significance of this Knicks Finals run
• [02:11–03:59]: Who are the star players, and what makes this team different?
• [04:19–04:45]: Karl-Anthony Towns reflects on being a local and reviving “hope”
• [05:09–06:29]: Why the Knicks are dominating: Timing, roster, and playoff context
• [07:18–09:29]: The evolution of the bench and tactical advantages
• [14:10–15:17]: Parallels to the championship Knicks of the 1970s
• [15:17–16:28]: Intergenerational fan excitement, including a fan texted from Sicily
• [16:51–17:44]: Mike Breen’s emotional perspective on the Knicks’ resurgence
• [18:50–19:24]: The unique leadership and character of Jalen Brunson
• [19:33–19:58]: Finals preview and James Edwards III’s prediction

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is infused with joy, disbelief, and celebration. There’s a communal, almost cathartic sense among guests and callers that years of Knicks frustration have been redeemed. The tone is passionate, warm, and deeply New York.

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Conclusion

The Knicks in the Finals has rekindled “hope” for a city united by basketball. With a deep and likable roster, historic playoff dominance, and a fan base crossing generations and time zones, the Knicks’ run is more than a sports event—it’s a cultural milestone for New York City. The episode captures the exhilaration, nostalgia, and cautious optimism reverberating through the city as the Finals approach.

Transcript

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[David]

This is all of it on wnyc. I'm David, first in for Alison Stewart. You may have noticed an increase in the number of orange and blue hats and T shirts on the subway this month. That is because the Knicks are going to the NBA Finals. I sort of can't believe I'm saying

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that, but it is true.

[David]

The Knicks New York City hasn't seen this level of Knicks fever in over 25 years, since they last reached the Finals way back in the last millennium in 1999. And the Knicks didn't just advance to the Finals, they made it look easy. They swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, and that's after sweeping the 76ers in the previous round. In the Finals, the Knicks will either face the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs. That series is still to be decided. James Edwards III is a staff writer for the Athletic who covers the Knicks, and he's here now to recap the KN playoff run so far and to look ahead to the Finals. Hey, James, how are you?

[James Edwards III]

Appreciate you having me.

[David]

Great. And in case you're wondering if there's still time to jump on the Knicks bandwagon, the answer is yes, right? Let's welcome everyone in.

[James Edwards III]

I don't know. Do New Yorkers welcome everybody in? I don't know if that's allowed.

[David]

I'm going to say it's allowed. I'm making an exception. James, can you take a minute to explain this moment for those of the. For those of us in the region who are perhaps not huge basketball fans, or maybe not even sports fans at all, what is happening right now with the New York Knicks and what does this moment mean for fans?

[James Edwards III]

I think there's a couple ways to look at it. First and foremost, the Knicks are doing something they haven't done in 27 years, which is get to the NBA Finals. Last year was the first time in 25 years that they had made the Eastern Conference Finals. So they've built on the success that they've, they've slowly, slowly started to develop over the last, I would say, turn of this decade. It's a. It's a group that has characters who know each other well, have gotten to know each other. Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikhail Bridges, all played together at Villanova in college and have found their way together in New York. Carl Anthony Townes, a former number one pick is from New Jersey, was traded out, traded to the team two summers ago. OG Anunoby, a guy who has an interesting story, wasn't heavily recruited in college. Born in London, went to high school in Missouri. One of the best two way players in basketball, kind of rounds out this starting five that you could make the case is the best in the NBA. It's a really talented group. They figured it out, it took some time. And now you see these Knicks fans really latching onto this group. You see the success coming. And you know, New York, the Knicks are interesting because it's, it's the one team in the city that everybody can agree on. There's no Jets, Giants fights, there's no Mets, Yankees fights. Everybody comes together for the Knicks.

[David]

That Knicks, Knicks, Nets breakdown isn't, isn't a thing.

[James Edwards III]

It's not a thing. I'm sorry if there are, if the one or two Nets fans are listening. Oh boy, it is, it's. But just, just the way that their history has gone. They were in New Jersey, New York, the New York Knicks have been along around for so long. This is the one team that everybody can, can agree on. And I think that's why you see such mass celebration.

[David]

Well, you just mentioned Karl Anthony Townes. I want to hear a little clip of him speaking. As you mentioned, he grew up in the area. Here he is talking about that connection growing up in this area and also talking about sharing this moment with some of the all time great KN who have been watching these games. This is him speaking after game four.

[Karl-Anthony Towns]

It means the world. I've grew up a Knicks fan is documented. And I think what's more of an honor is growing up in the area. I feel like the word hope has been gone from the New York Knicks name for a long time. And for me and OG to be part of this team that revives the word hope in the city, um, it's, it's something special.

[David]

I mean the Knicks have now won 11 games in a row in the playoffs. They swept the last two series. Many of these games have been blowouts. They're the first team in NBA history to have three series clinching wins by over 30 points in one season. These are historic numbers. What is the right thing to say about this Knicks team?

[James Edwards III]

They're clicking at the right time. Every team's goal is to play their best basketball this time of the year. And the Knicks are doing that. They're playing with a synergy that wasn't always there for a lot of their time over the last two years on both sides of the floor. Offensively, they're moving the ball very well. Defensively, they're on a string. Great communication. Mike Brown came in as head coach this year and has really gotten these guys to, to buy into what he's preaching and, and to believe in one another. And this is why you see this situation unfolding the way it is where they're blowing teams out. Now with that said, listen, winning an NBA championship, as much as it takes skill, also takes luck. And the Knicks can't control who are, who's in front of them. They didn't ask the Cleveland Cavaliers to play two seven game series before they played the Atlanta hawks. And Philadelphia 76ers were both one or two wins away from being the 10th seed in the NBA. Like these are teams that good. Probably not as good as the Sixers weren't. Probably a second round playoff team. Cleveland was really good during the regular season, but they had played 14 games by the time they met the Knicks. So the main thing is the Knicks are handling their business. They're beating these teams the way that they're supposed to beat them. And that goes to show you just the confidence level that they have right now.

[David]

And listeners, we would love to hear from you right now. Have you been watching this playoff run? What is your level of Knicks fever? Do you think they can win it all? Or are you maybe waiting for all of this to be over so 7th Avenue and the area around Madison Square Garden can chill out a little bit? Call us or text us. 212-433-9692. That's 212-433-WNYC. And as we're talking about some of the things that have changed with this team, they really have a bench this year. Right. And a lot of players have been getting to rest because they've been blowing out the opposition. And then they get to have long rest periods before the next series. Can, can you talk about this evolution?

[James Edwards III]

Yeah. This bench has been, has been really good. Landry Shamit is a guy who, a bit of an NBA journeyman. Somebody who was on the Knicks last year, signed, basically was the one of the last guys on the roster, but he had been proven and somebody that former coach Tom Thibodeau really liked. He ended up having a shoulder injury midway through the year that cost him a few months. Then he comes back and he plays a part in their run to the Eastern Conference finals, little out of the rotation in the playoffs. Then he comes back again this year on a training camp deal non guaranteed, makes the team, ends up being a big factor and then has another shoulder injury and then a knee injury and comes back and was playing really good basketball before these injuries, missed some time and now he's come back and basically been their sixth starter. I guess is the best way to say it. He's been incredible. Jordan Clarkson, if you're in the weeds with basketball, was known as what we call a gunner, a guy that shot a lot of shots in terms of scoring off the bench. He's one of the best to ever do it in the NBA and he's completely revitalized this game where he's getting offensive rebounds and 50, 50 balls. Miles McBride is shooting the lights out. Mitchell Robinson is one of the greatest offensive rebounders of all time, so they have more guys at their disposal. With that said, the rest thing is interesting. So it is more beneficial to get your work done early leading up to the Finals because there can be such quick turnarounds just how the schedule is laid out. Like for example it the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Pistons in seven games. They had 24 hours to get to New York and then the series started, right? If this Oklahoma City and San Antonio series go seven games, which I think it gets over in six personally, but if you even if it goes seven, it ends Saturday night. The finals don't start till Wednesday, right? So. So the winner of that would have three days of rest, which is good in the NBA. Now the advantage comes in the Knicks aren't playing games where guys risk getting hurt while the other teams are playing more games, which increases the likelihood of injury more so than just the totality of rest.

[David]

We are speaking with James Edwards, the third staff writer for the Athletic who covers the Knicks and the Knicks, in case you haven't heard, are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. If you would like to join this discussion, the number is 21243 and I have to read James, I have to read you this text here please. I grew up. This is someone writes I grew up in Massachusetts, so even though I've lived in New York City Since I was 18, I am a Celtics fan, but it is hard not to like this Knicks team. Amazing to hear that by the way from. I especially appreciate that they haven't fallen from for the three point ridiculousness that so many other teams, including my own sadly have embraced. Go Orange and Blue I have to wonder about this one. For someone from Massachusetts to write go orange and blue. Pretty, pretty astounding.

[James Edwards III]

I understand his frustration with his own basketball team though. The Celtics live and die by the three point shot and it's cost him the last two years. But in terms of characters, yeah, I think this Knicks team is likable. Jalen Brunson, very humble star. Carl Anthony Towns the same way. I mean, you can go down the line. Josh Hart has some personality that really shows through on camera in terms of individuals. And as somebody who has gotten to know all these guys very well, being around them every day for the last seven months, it's. It's easy to root for the people right now, the organization. Listen, I don't think there are a lot of New York Knicks fans outside of New York because New York has been this organization that for years if. Has been put on this national pedestal. Yet if you're in middle America, you're probably asking yourself, why have I been watching the Knicks every year on Christmas for X amount of years, right? Like there's a way that New Yorkers view the Knicks and the way that New Yorkers view their fandom that I don't think always jives with everybody else around the country. But that's what the beauty of this run is. The New York Knicks fans can feel vindicated. This is what we always thought about our team.

[David]

I can't imagine that fans in Cleveland can, can enjoy watching the Knicks fans just fill up their arena. You know, the Knicks fans really travel.

[James Edwards III]

Yeah, they do. They do. So the Knicks have had very beneficial situations in, for. In terms of having their fans trail. First of all, I think there are a lot of Knicks fans and it is one of the best fan bases in all sports. It is also, as you know, the biggest city in America by a lot. So it does. It makes sense that there are a lot of Knicks fans even. But even to go a step further, when they packed out Phillies arena for game four, at that point, Philadelphia is down.03. It's Mother's Day. The weather is nice. The Phillies are playing across the street. If I were a 76ers fan, I would sell my tickets. And In Cleveland, Game 4 was probably not as much in Game 3, but Game 4, there were a lot of Knicks fans similar situation. Yeah, Cavs are down.03. It's Memorial Day weekend. The Guardians are playing across the street. I would have sold my tickets too.

[David]

Okay.

[James Edwards III]

And these Knicks fans are in a situation where this is unchartered territory for almost two Generations of people. I would also get on a plane and go to Cleveland and watch my team make its trip to the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years.

[David]

If you didn't already have those tickets yourself for covering the games.

[James Edwards III]

Yeah, exactly.

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Yeah.

[David]

Yeah.

[James Edwards III]

Hypothetical. Yeah.

[David]

Well, let's take another, let's take a call. 212-433-9692. Let's hear from Kevin in Denver. Is that right, Kevin? Welcome to all of it.

[Kevin from Denver]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, unfortunately I left New York, but I'm coming back, coming back in October anyway. Seven, six, seventh, eighth, ninth. Man, just like, you know, the debusscher, Willis, Reed, Frazier, Bradley, Dick Barnett with his facial. You know, that's the thing that harkens back to me that I think the Knicks have always had. But you know, this club and that club, it's, it's the depth, it's just bringing incredible, you know, it's, it blows your mind. You know, it's to be able to, to be able to like remove a starter and not notice it and have the guy that comes in off the bench being just as devastating offensively and defensively is, it's fantastic.

[David]

James, what about that, the, the depth there? We, we touched on it already, but the comparison being made there, right. We're talking about comparing the Knicks of this current team to the knicks in what, 1970, 1973, the team that won two championships.

[James Edwards III]

Yeah, I mean, I think he's spot on. They have enough bench pieces that you can mix and match lineups with the starters that you really don't see a drop off. And that's been the case in this postseason. Like I mentioned, Landry Shammond has been one of the best shooters in all of the playoffs and also been one of the best on ball defenders. So you pop in a guy that's able to hold his own in that regard, like that's a major advantage. Mitchell Robinson provides his own challenges as well for opposing defenses. Now, I will say I'm obviously very familiar with the, the 70s Knicks. I'm not from New York. It's not a team that I grew up on to, to talk about the depth in that way. But I do think in talking to Clyde Frazier and talking to others who are around then, like they see similarities with those two teams primarily in the style of play. And also like they, they said the depth is something that there is some, some semblance of.

[David]

I want to hear more from you, James, on what fans, longtime fans are feeling in this moment. We just got a text here Someone saying casual Knicks fans here. We're on vacation in Sicily for the last two weeks but have been laser focused on the Knicks while we're here. Have been getting up at 2am here to watch the games and we are obsessed.

[James Edwards III]

I think it is what we were talking about earlier. There are generations of people who have only heard about the Knicks being good as folklore.

[Kevin from Denver]

Right?

[James Edwards III]

Like 73 is a long time ago. Yes, those are people who are. Some of those people that were born then are now grandparents. This is when you insulate yourself in New York. You hear about these stories of the Knicks. You see all these fans, but they all share this misery. And now this is their opportunity to like. This is what my grandfather was telling me about. This is what my father was telling me about. This is what New York City is like when the Knicks are good. And I think it brings everybody together.

[David]

I have to mention this, Mike Breen will be the play by play announcer for the finals on ESPN abc. He is the voice of the Knicks during the regular season on the msg. I want to play a clip of him, Breen speaking after the game on MSG about what this moment means for him.

[Mike Breen]

It brings such joy. I mean I've been broadcasting Nick games more than half my life. And again to sit next to one of the all time greats and have this lifetime friendship with him. I get emotional thinking about it and we've broadcast a lot of bad basketball for a long time and again it's to see the game played in the most beautiful way. For Clyde to say that this team reminds him of. He doesn't say that very often. For him to say that Jalen Brunson reminds him of the leadership of Willis. He doesn't say that about anybody. So that kind of joy. It's the way the game is supposed to be played and there's such a high character bunch that you root for them because of the effort and the type of young men that they are. So I mean there's just such joy. I've been rooting for the Knicks since I was 7 years old and to have a team like this is pretty, pretty darn special.

[David]

James, can you talk about that? He's talking about sitting with the former player, Walt Frazier.

[James Edwards III]

Yes, Mike is awesome. Somebody I consider a dear friend. But listen, if anybody's been through the. Had a. Had a front row seat to the ups and downs of New York Knicks basketball for the Greater part of 50 years, it's Mike Breen. He's a guy grew up here, a guy who realized his dream job and has had to sit there for a lot of bad moments for this franchise and for him and Clyde to do still be doing it together as his team is back in the finals. I think if you ask a lot of New York Knicks fans and a lot of New Yorkers, that probably is very sentimental to them simply because of what those two voices and those two characters mean to the history of New York Knicks basketball.

[David]

And we just have a few seconds left, but we heard him mention Jalen Brunson, star player on the Knicks. The Knicks guard has been on fire. He has been known for being the go to player in all of these clutch late game moments. There haven't been that many of them in this particular playoff run. But what can you say about Jalen Brunson?

[James Edwards III]

The best compliment I can give Jalen is this. You can tell he was raised well down to earth, cares about people willing and eager to build relationships. Just a very normal human being. And I tend to believe that people who have that type of background and upbringing are able to flourish in whatever that field is because they care about people first. They understand the impact of people, they understand emotions and they're just taught to work hard. And that's what Jalen has done.

[David]

The Finals are scheduled to start on June 3rd and the Knicks will not have the home court advantage in this series. Right. Whether it's the the spurs or the Thunder.

[James Edwards III]

Yes, both of those teams finished with a better regular season record than the New York Knicks.

[David]

Okay, we'll have to see how this evolves. The Knicks have certainly been on fire at this point. Any prediction for how you think the competition's going to match up?

[James Edwards III]

Looking ahead, last few seconds, if it's Oklahoma City Thunder, I think it's a series that's going to go six or seven and they're the defending champs. I got to until somebody dethrones them, I'm going to have to go with the defending champs.

[David]

There it is. James Edwards, the third staff writer for the Athletic who covers the Knicks. Thank you for joining us today.

[James Edwards III]

I appreciate you having me.

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